Americans sign Bouchard to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement
Kennewick, WA. – The Tri-City Americans announced today they have signed 2009-born defenseman Aden Bouchard to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. He was drafted third overall in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft last week.
“Joining the Americans is a dream come true,” Bouchard said. “It’s something you dream about when you’re 10 years old and to see it become reality is amazing. I couldn’t be more excited to meet my future teammates at training camp in the fall.”
Bouchard, from Airdrie, Alberta, spent the majority of the 2023-24 season with the Edge School Prep U15 program in Calgary recording 36 points (9-27-36) in 27 games. He also appeared in seven games with Edge’s U18 team as a call-up and scored two goals.
In the CSSHL playoffs, Bouchard had a strong showing as he upped his production to 10 points (2-8-10) in just five games, leading Edge to the U15 championship game. In that game, he scored the tying goal with just three seconds left in regulation, though Edge would fall to the Northern Alberta Xtreme in overtime.
Two weeks before the draft Bouchard had a sensational showing at the 2024 Alberta Cup, which has the top 120 2009-born players from Alberta competing head-to-head.
In five games during the tournament Bouchard scored five goals and added an assist, leading Alberta Blue to the championship.
“This is an exciting time for both our team and the Bouchard family,” said Americans general manager Bob Tory. “Aden was one of the elite defensemen available in this draft. He combines skill, poise and skating with a high hockey IQ to perform. We welcome Aden to the Tri-City Americans family.”
Bouchard is the first member of the Americans 2024 draft class to sign with the team.
